Friday, 10 August 2018

For the last few years I have been using Lilash lash growth treatment (which is excellent if you’re looking for a great lash treatment) but I have gotten lazy with my application and haven’t applied for a good 3 months now. My lashes have actually kept a lot of the strength and aren’t looking quite as stubby as they used to but I’ve been on the hunt for a mascara that would make the most of my lashes with minimal effort.

Hurrah for Hourglass. Their new Caution Extreme lash Mascara is one of the best I have tested for a long time.

The packaging is the classic Hourglass triangle design and the lid has a very satisfying click as you close it!

The brush has a tapered end and is jam-packed full of short and long firm bristles. Reminds me of a chimney sweep, grabbing each lash and coating with coal black creamy product.

The tip enables you to pick out the finer inner lashes and the body of the brush curls the lashes round whilst separating. The texture is creamy without being too blobby or caked and the finish is a glossy, jet black.

Easy to apply and brushes through the lashes with ease, giving enough fluidity to re-apply multiple times without appearing spidery.

Good for short lashes, sparse lashes or those who don't like anything too gloopy.

This mascara is £25.00 but if you want to try it first then you can also purchase a smaller travel size for £12.00.

Wednesday, 8 August 2018

We seem to know loads of couples expecting babies at the moment. It must have been all that cold weather we had in the beginning of the year. People staying in and getting cosy!

A few friends have asked me on my recommendations on good bump creams and a brand that I used during my pregnancy and also on my baby was Mustela.

There are a few texture options depending on what you prefer. I personally don’t like hard butters that you have to work to melt before massaging in. They seem to drag the skin too much and seem like extra effort.

Mustela have a cream or an oil option. Both lightweight, easy to massage in and easily absorbed.

Oil is always my favourite, it’s a much more luxurious texture and feels like a real treat to use. Around 4 squirts will allow enough oil to cover your bump, breasts and thigh/buttock area. I would advise using it from the chest down to your thighs, as these are the areas that will slowly stretch to accommodate your growing baby and need a little extra lubrication.

Ingredients include Lupine seeds, which has proven results increasing elasticity and firmness. It also stimulates collagen, which helps give the support and structure to the skin.

Pomegranate, avocado and musk rose help with cell regeneration, hydration, tone and elasticity.

Doesn’t smell too rosy thankfully, quite a fresh scent.

A really nice product to use from day one but the squirting action makes it a good choice for the later months when it’s tricky to see where you are applying!

The stretch mark cream is milky and light in texture. The most easily absorbed out of the two and better for those who prefer a quick drying product rather than an oil which lingers for 15 minutes before completely absorbing.

Water based with sunflower seed oil, avocado and the same Lupine Seeds mentioned before.

I preferred to use this cream during the day after showering or early in pregnancy and went for the oil later on or during the evening.

These products will not completely prevent stretchmark’s. Unfortunately that greatly depends on your skin type and genetics. What it will do is support your skin during growth, allow it to feel more flexible in order to stretch and will condition and soften the skin. It’s actually just a really nice self-loving habit to get into and I believe it will reduce the chances of initial damage.

These products are safe for mum and baby during pre-natal and post-partum with no added alcohol or caffeine included.

Monday, 6 August 2018

Friday, 3 August 2018

Chanel needs no introduction, we all know about the sumptuous rich lip tones and the perfectly moody smudgy eye palettes. I hate to talk about Autumn/Winter but Apotheosis has landed and is launching today!

Usual line up of Les 4 Ombres eye palettes with harmonious tones in either demure taupe’s or smoky navy and royal blue.

The lip products are the showstoppers and include Le rouge Crayon in 6 shades. Mainly in the signature Lucia Pica colours, these glide onto the lip with no effort and stain for hours.

Such an easy lip product to have kicking around. Two Rouge Allure Inks are also in the collection if you prefer a more liquid bold lip.

The textures and pigments are beautiful of course and the shades scream autumn. You may not want to apply just yet in the 30-degree heat of the British Summer but you’ll be glad of some of these bold tones once it cools back down.

Thursday, 2 August 2018

Clarins have launched their new lipstick range, Joli Rouge Velvet and we are loving the new texture.

20 shades of lightweight matte velvet pigment that wears well on the lips. The lipstick texture is completely undetectable.

It’s matte without drying and doesn’t cling to the skin whatsoever. The pigment is easy to build and it’s a particularly nice texture to buff the edges out for a diffused lip. In fact the velvet texture looks best when worn a little unkempt. If you’re after a more defined look then I think a lip liner is essential with this type of product.

Hydration comes from Organic Marsh Samphire and Organic Apricot oil.

Shade wise it’s mainly plum based pinks but there are a few bold reds thrown into the mix.

What I absolutely love about this texture is that it’s awesome to use as a cream blush, in fact I think I will use it more as this than a lipstick. The matte velvet gives a beautiful skin pinched effect to the cheeks that has no tacky feeling, great for a cream blush on an oily skin type.

Wednesday, 1 August 2018

Friday, 27 July 2018

The heat wave is continuing here in the UK and although most of us have ditched the makeup in favour of SPF and maybe a splodge of mascara there is still a requirement on some days to look a little bit more polished!

We have always had a lot of love for the By Terry Ombre Blackstar, especially the darker shades such as Black Pearl for a quick and easy smokey eye.

For the summer we have the shades in Frozen Quartz, Blond Opal and Bronze Moon. These ice cream tones are perfect to slick over the eyelid and blend out with your finger. They provide a sheer wash to a bolder smokey look with minimal effort and the low level pearl sparkles softly in the light. They are a foolproof eye product for a hot summer day or for your holiday makeup bag.

Longevity and pigment is excellent and they can also be used as a solid base if you prefer to wear a powder eye shadow.

They are £29.00 each and available in 8 shades. You can shop them here.

Wednesday, 25 July 2018

The new Huda Beauty Demi matte cream lipstick is a game changer in the staying power of a liquid lipstick.

It applies via an angled doe foot applicator, which has a small chunk cut out to ensure close and precise application. The texture of these cream lipsticks is like lip paint. It coats the lips in an easily controlled thick lacquer with insanely good pigment.

The pigment doesn’t cling but coats in a moisturised layer that wears off evenly through the day.

After swatching the shades I had to wash and scrub my arm three times. It had excellent staying powers.

We have all 15 shades to share with you..

The demi matte lipstick is moisturising and hydrating without being sticky or glossy. It adheres to the lips but without appearing flat.

Monday, 23 July 2018

Friday, 20 July 2018

There’s something very comforting about a cold cream cleanser. Maybe because it’s a product you might find on you grandmother’s dressing table, usually made by Ponds. It’s like a luxurious blanket for the skin. Enveloping it in its calming, whipped yogurt texture that feels both cooling and nurturing.

The cold cream of old always tended to feel rather heavy and somewhat oily however this feels refreshing and lightweight with no greasy residue.

It lifts off makeup and SPF easily as well as waterproof mascara with little tugging.

The texture is truly beautiful and the kind of cream you just want to dip your fingers into and scoop a thick layer all over your face and neck.

After massaging into the face simply remove the residue with a damp washcloth.

My skin feels thoroughly cleansed, no redness or sensations from ingredients and the cooling texture is wonderful during our recent hot spell here in the UK.

The scent is slightly floral (it does contain Jasmine and Daisy extract) but not overpowering. Kind of like a fresh linen scent.

This would be nice on all skin types and ages but particularly good for those with a dry or dehydrated skin

The large 95g pot is £41 so on the pricy side but it’s a fantastic luxury cleanse that gives your skin a big hug. Shop the Cold Cream cleanser here.

Tuesday, 17 July 2018

MAC and Terry Barber are pretty much one of the same here in the UK. As MAC’S director of artistry Terry has been a constant within the brand throughout the last 17 years and finally, he has his own collection of his greatest hits.

We have his 15 eye shadow palette, which, features his all time favourite timeless shades. All of the shades are re-promotes in a mix of satin, lustre, matte and veluxe pearl finish.

This palette is limited to Selfridges in store and online.

In true Terry style, the shades are a mix of muted warm tones with plums and grungy greys. It’s the ultimate smoky eye palette with excellent contour tones and pops of copper.

Works for all skin tones and all eyeshades. The taupes and peach will make a blue or brown eye look insane whilst the plums are hypnotising on a green eye.

Monday, 16 July 2018

Plenty of Pout Lipstick launched last week (at all MAC locations) and it includes a really nice array of Summery shades in a balmy sheen that moisturises with a hint of a tingle.

I love the visuals for this collection, with a cute little bee to represent the stung lip look. I think a real bee sting would work better for a plumped lip, the plumping action is mildly tingling, but the finished look doesn’t really alter the size or shape of your natural lips.

If you’re after a seriously plumped lip then these are not the best but they do feel wonderful on the lips and the pigment is strong with a long lasting finish. Nice little addition to your summer makeup bag.

If you prefer a gloss there is also an almost clear plumping gloss with a high mirror shine.

We have five of the ten shades to share with you.

Plenty of Pout Plumping Lipsticks and the gloss are £18 each and available now here.

Wednesday, 11 July 2018

The ultimate in skin perfecting, the latest concealer from Too Faced is serious about a flawless look.

The Born this way Super concealer has recently launched, and for £20 for a huge 15ml fluid, it’s well worth the money.

This concealer is applied via a large doe foot applicator and lays down very thick, almost like a whipped cream. If you’re after a sheer delicate cover then this isn’t for you. Wipe the excess from the wand onto the edge of the bottle and dab in the areas that require further cover, after your foundation application.

I prefer to blend this out using the warmth of my fingers. It helps to melt it into the skin and you can quickly move it around before it dries and sets.

What I really love about this concealer is that even though it’s a full cover, it’s still hydrating and doesn’t give you a flat dull skin. It mimics the skin texture well without clinging and the longevity is excellent. Even after swatching the shades I had to wash my arm three times to remove the colour pigment. It looks natural on the skin but covers extremely well, providing you have the correct shade.

You could use this concealer as your foundation if you’re short on time or just prefer a multi purpose product. It’s also suitable for highlighting and contouring with (although you would need multiple tones to do this effectively).

Key ingredients are Hyaluronic acid for hydration from within, alpine rose to brighten and Coconut Water to assist in skin’s moisture levels.